LYDNEY-BASED fundraising manager Lynne Eagles has just completed her fifth London marathon, raising over £4,500 for Cancer Research UK.

Lynne, who works for the charity, said: “This year my ‘co-pilot’ Paul Bayliss and I went dressed as Vikings and once again it was absolutely wonderful. There were 40,000 runners; the logistics involved are amazing and the crowds were phenomenal.

“I ran my first marathon when I was 52, in memory of my mum, Margaret Barnard, who died when she was 51. Every time I have run from start to finish without walking or stopping. I don’t care what my time is as long as I achieve that.”

Lynne also volunteers for Cancer Research UK and set up the Forest of Dean Relay for Life back in 2005.

She added: “The Forest was one of only 15 places in the UK to hold an event to begin with and this will be the thirteenth year that the event has run.”

This year’s Relay for Life takes place on Saturday, June 24. To register for a place, visit relay.cancerresearchuk.org